Letters to the Editor – November 23

Fred Wesley

23 November, 2018, 9:10 am

Ben Ryan with Fijian fans. Picture: Supplied

Ben Ryan’s rugby analysis

Thank you The Fiji Times on your sports back page headline on Ben Ryan and his analysis. Our own Ratu even after exiting post Olympics still has Fiji very much at heart. His passion for Fijian rugby seems forever and this was evident with his presence at the Fiji Scotland game. We can’t stop thanking the man for what he has done to sevens rugby in Fiji and with another HSBC sevens season kicking off next week, we know for sure who our No.1 fan is — Ratu Peni Rayani. Also, what is testimony to the man is since 2016, he has not officially taken a coaching contract with any nation although appointed as a coaching director to nurture the development of Wales rugby but we are yet to see a direct role with any country and that just speaks volume of his everlasting passion and craze for Fijian rugby. I wish him all the best for the new season and will always have him in my heart and prayers. Go Ben, go Fiji go. Sevens joka kece Viti kei na vuravura. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva

Education ministers

I join my fellow Fijians to congratulate our new Cabinet Ministers. My best wishes to honourable Rosy Akbar and Joseph Nitya Nand for being appointed as Minister and Assistant Minister respectively for the largest ministry. Both Ms Akbar and Mr Nand were school teachers and have gone through the system and know the system well so adjusting to the Education Ministry should not be a problem. Thus, their appointment has brought a ray of hope to many and I am confident that the duo will shine as minister and assistant minister respectively. Apart from being committed, passionate and dedicated to their profession, Ms Akbar and Mr Nand share a common interest and that is sports. Madam Rosy has been an active fan of the Ba soccer team while Mr Joseph has been actively involved in coaching the Nadroga and Nadi soccer teams. My best wishes to the “dynamic duo” and to the entire Cabinet team! Cheers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Potholes and all

I got an email from a young businessman who resides in Australia. He said that he is from Rakiraki and comes twice a year to visit his mom and dad and family. In the past two years, he has come over and gone back a few times. He notices things such as the roads, traffic, people’s attitude, public transport, et cetera. Most of all, he said, he noticed the roads. Many potholes that were there when he left are still there. He wonders if MPs do travel to their hometown and just walk around and check things that matter to the people. He ended by saying, “Or have they migrated to Suva and will come and holiday in four years time.” Wink wink! Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Private, public practitioners

MANY have experienced going to a private practitioner. One can be seen momentarily, whereas going to the nearest public hospital one can patiently wait for the availability of a physician. One will stretch deeper into his/her pocket if he or she chooses to see a private doctor whereas opting for government-funded hospital doctors through taxpayers funds is about patience. We arrived late on Monday night so we agreed as a family to head to CWM Hospital to have our boy seen again by the doctor. Patiently waiting with my son we were then seen by someone who also contributes to this daily. Upon conversing, I realised the open gap of knowledge shared by mature practitioners and novel practitioners, but I’ll leave that matter for the experienced and young doctors to all take in hand. Vinaka Dr Waibuta for the advice. To the doctor who explained the inscription and staff nurse Aseri at the dressing room malo vakalevu and our admiration to the tall Fijian of Indian descent male nurse who shifted a patient from the dressing room for us. We can see it in your eyes, the tiredness and tolerance but we can only hope that the Ministry of Health will look into a solution for nurse shortage. AREKI DAWAI Suva

Local skateboarding

The other day, I watched with interest as the young boys in the neighbourhood took turns riding the only skateboard available in the yasayasa. Occasionally, the skateboard would have a mind of its own and suddenly decided to fly in the air, leaving the rider sprawled on the pavement. The jeering laughter does work wonders though, because the poor kid would jump right up and gallop away as if nothing happened. Aren’t we glad to see our kids taking to outdoor activities such as skateboarding over video games during the holidays? Let’s take necessary care though because skateboarding is an action sport and the kids are on the road, so the risk of injury, and even death is high. Skate parks would do our communities more good than bad, and with skateboarding becoming an Olympics sport, Fiji might already have our champion skateboarder in the making, manoeuvring potholes, dog poo and mango peelings along the pavements of Votualevu, Nadi on the way to Tokyo 2020. SAMU RAILOA, Nadi

Voters’ concern
I BELIEVE the assertion by some voters from the Wainibuka and Dawasamu areas that the release of the election results had influenced their decision to vote for another party (FT18/11) should not be taken lightly. I believe the fact that those who had voted earlier were asked to vote again gives rise to the probability that they may have changed their minds after seeing the progress results from other polling centres. It still boggles my mind
why their first vote was declared invalid. Consequentially, I believe it may have caused unfair advantage and disadvantage to the candidates and
political parties contesting the election. In my view the issue should not be dismissed as a trivial matter, but rather considered in the broader context of a free and fair election. SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka

Unity please

To be frank, I find it senseless that the leader of the FijiFirst party continued to attack other parties even when the result of the election revealed they had won 27 seats and they would again lead our government in the next four years. An article in The Fiji Times 20/11/18 titled “PM: We will unite Fiji” highlighted Mr Bainimarama saying that he is proud to become our prime minister once again despite the joint forces of Opposition that started their campaign on lies, hate, and fear. I would humbly request our prime minister to please stop attacking the Opposition and try and mend your differences so you may somehow find ways to work together for the betterment of the people of our beloved Fiji, for then only you can fulfil your aspiration when you said, I quote; “Today (Sunday) I ask all who voted for us and also those who didn’t, to run with us as we all work together to make Fiji a better place for all our citizens and our future progeny under united banner blue.” Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

Post election

At last! The election is over and there is a winner. As soon as I cast my vote at BMS, Delainavesi, I scooted towards Nausori to catch the last flight to Labasa. Again, the pre-flight protocol where there was a demo on how to inflate life jackets. I tried to recollect if there was ever a crash in the sea in Fiji recently, but I can’t remember one. All did take place on land, correct me if I am wrong. I was expecting a parachute demo to come next, but it did not happen. I suggest all our local flights to mount bull bars in front for safety’s sake. On Thursday, I went down to Natuvu Clinic in Buca Bay for an eye surgery, no pressure check or sugar test. They deal with the problem right away. I saw three young boys going in to be circumcised. They walked in and walked out with pants on as if they had not been operated on. On my way to Savusavu, I met a guy who had a huge lump behind his neck removed by the same doctor. Boy! He is much better now and had healed completely after a long run-around. It would be better if our hospital staff update themselves from them. Yesterday, I had a walk to the Suva market just to check the price of yaqona, for no reason at all. Well, for 1kg, it ranges from a whopping $130 to $175. Doing a rough wedding ceremony calculation, I bet one will spend around $1500. The high cost of yaqona can be a reason why most of our youths resort to marijuana. I won’t be surprised if our leaders of tomorrow are already using weed to replace yaqona as their sevusevu. After all, it is cheaper and makes everyone jolly good I am told. Usaia Tagi Delainavesi

RIP Ravind

I was saddened to hear about the passing away of Ravind Kumar — the former Fiji Meteorological Service director. Since taking over this position, the late Ravind performed his duties exceptionally well and was a committed and dedicated worker and his excellent leadership and vision made him a role model. My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family on the loss of a wonderful personality! RIP Ravind! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Pipes please

I wish to reply to Allen Lockington’s letter regarding the extension of the pipes to another four years, to the Kava Place parliamentarians, if you got extra pipe can you donate a few lengths to us living alongside the Drasa Vitogo? Heavy downpour usually washes away the embankment and I would use those pipes to channel the water in a different direction. Do you know anyone whom I can approach to get the pipes from? John Brown Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka

Iconic store

During a recent grocery shopping at one of the iconic supermarkets in Suva, I was overwhelmed with the awesome shopping experience. Extra supermarket is indeed serious about its company slogan, “extra choices, extra saving”, because as they say “actions speak louder than words”. Like other supermarkets, you would find great specials, which is ultimately for the benefit of customers. However, the supermarket has perhaps set a benchmark for what customer satisfaction is all about. Apart from the wide range of groceries, fresh fruits and vegetable and the list goes on, the most evident feature being a clean and spacious environment. Well done and thank you for making a difference. SPENCER ROBINSON Suva

Water issue

It’s interesting to learn from Simon Hazelman’s letter (FT 22/11) that the quality of water in Savusavu has “deteriorated” and it’s “unhygienic” and “shocking”. In 1982, while serving as a welfare officer in Savusavu, I wrote a letter published in The Fiji Times saying the water in Savusavu was like “waicala” grog. The issue of the poor quality of water in Savusavu was then picked up by the then Ombudsman and we were assured the matter would be addressed urgently. How many years ago was that? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Bus tag

In the Western Division, a bus has a slogan near its taillight. “No air bags, we die like real man”. Does it expect its passengers to catch a ride to the cemetery station? Being a public service vehicle, the owner needs to rethink this. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka